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Atrial myxomas are primary cardiac tumors which may cause ischemic stroke. The authors present a case of a 51-year-old man admitted to the emergency department with right-sided hemiplegia and aphasia caused by ischemic stroke. 2D and 3D transesophageal echocardiography showed an atrial myxoma described as a large mass in the left atrium attached to the interatrial septum. In the end, surgical excision of the myxoma was performed 48 h after diagnosis. Nowadays, specific guidelines concerning the correct time for surgical excision of the myxoma are lacking. The authors highlight the utmost role of echocardiography to promptly characterize a cardiac mass and the importance of discuss about the timing of cardiac surgery.

Aims Primary cardiac tumours are rare; most are benign, and of these, around half are myxomas, often located in the left atrium. Clinical presentation is variable. Ischaemic stroke is a rare, although real and potentially fatal, complications of cardiac myxomas. Methods and results We present a case of a 51-year-old man, ex- smoker, obese, with a history of hypertension and COPD, presented to our emergency department with right-sided hemiplegia and aphasia caused by ischaemic stroke. Brain computed tomography revealed cerebral perfusion deficit. The patient was underwent intravenous thrombolytic strategy and intubated transferred in Reanimation. TTE showed a large left atrial mass attached to the interatrial septum, with a friable appearance, suggestive of myxoma. The 2D and 3D TEE detected a giant space-occupying mass (60 × 20 mm diameter) in the left atrium, coral-like, and with a friable appearance, the most apical portion prolapsed into the left ventricle during diastole, causing fixed obstruction to flow in the left ventricular inflow tract. Computed tomography angiography (CTA) confirmed the giant mass in the left atrium. In view of the risk of imminent embolization, the emergent surgical excision of the tumour was performed. The tumour and its neck, including part of the atrial septum, were fully resected and the atrial septum was directly closed. Subsequent histopathological findings confirmed the diagnosis of atrial myxoma. Post-operative echocardiography showed no residual tumour. Symptomatic cardiac myxoma may present with one of the three classic clinical presentations of the Goodwin’s triad, which include intracardiac obstruction, constitutional symptoms, and embolism. The obstructive pattern mimics mitral or tricuspid valve disease and results from atrioventricular valve obstruction. Constitutional or systemic manifestations include fatigue, fever, weight loss, arthralgia, myalgia, erythematous rash, and laboratory findings such as anaemia and elevated ESR, CRP, and globulins. Systemic embolization from myxoma occurs in around a third of cases. Of these, the most serious is cerebrovascular embolism, which may result in cerebral stroke. In addition, embolization of coronary arteries, kidneys, intestines, and extremities can also occur. The tumour size, location, and macroscopic appearance, along with mean platelet volume and platelet count, are closely associated with embolic events. Echocardiography remains the method of choice for diagnosis and morphological characterization of myxoma. Two patterns have been established by echocardiography: round, with a solid appearance and a firm surface, and polypoid, with an irregular outline and a friable surface. The incidence of systemic embolization is higher in those with an irregular and friable surface, as well as in polypoid tumours and those that prolapse into the ventricle. Once a diagnosis of myxoma is established, surgical resection is the only effective treatment and should be performed immediately, in view of the risk of embolic complications. Conclusions With this case report, we stress the fundamental importance of echocardiography in new onset of neurological deficit to prevent potentially fatal outcomes.

Left atrial intramural hematoma (LAIH) is an uncommon entity for which a timely diagnosis is critical for decision making. Cardiac surgical or catheter-based procedures are potential causing factors. Though cardiac computerized tomography and magnetic resonance are highly accurate diagnostic modalities, their role is limited by the lack of widespread availability. The present clinical case illustrates the diagnostic features of LAIH that can be obtained using echocardiography at the bedside in critically ill patients. We report a case of LAIH, that followed a catheter ablation procedure and was complicated by cardiac and cerebral ischemia. Cardiac surgical management was required.

Aims The typical Brugada ECG pattern consists of a prominent J-wave associated with ST-segment elevation localized in the right precordial leads V1–V3. In many patients, the ECG presents periods of transient normalization and the Brugada-phenotype can be unmasked by the administration of class-I antiarrhythmics. Reports have documented the heterogeneity of the Brugada syndrome ECG-phenotype characterized by unusual localization of the ECG abnormalities in the inferior leads. Case report A 51-year-old man, without detectable structural heart disease, was referred to us because of a history of syncope, dizziness, and palpitations. The ECG showed a J-wave and ST-segment elevation in the right precordial leads, suggesting Brugada syndrome. As other causes of the ECG abnormalities were excluded, the patient underwent an electrophysiological study that documented easy induction of ventricular fibrillation. During infusion of ajmaline, new prominent J-waves and ST-segment elevation appeared in the inferior leads, whereas the basal ECG abnormalities in the right precordial leads normalized. After infusion of isoprenaline, the ECG-pattern resumed the typical Brugada pattern. An implantable cardioverter-defibrillator was recommended. Conclusion In our patient, the double localization of the typical Brugada-pattern and the paradoxical effect of ajmaline on the ECG abnormalities confirmed the possibility of a phenotype heterogeneity in the Brugada syndrome.